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Divestment: CSOs Want FG To Prohibit Oil Companies Sales Of Assets In Niger Delta Until…

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Following the announcement of acquisition of 100% of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC Ltd) by Oando Plc, Civil Society Organizations have urged the Federal Government to immediately place a moratorium on
oil company divestment (or sale of assets) in the Niger Delta region, pending the ascertaining of issues of community concern.

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They argued that the call became necessary becaus host communities in which Agip has operated for up to six decades are unaware of the
impending sale and have not been informed by the firm.

Oando Plc had on October 4, 2023 announced that it reached an agreement with Eni for the acquisition of a 100 percent stake in its subsidiary, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC Ltd).

But a statement signed by Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation; China Williams, Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria; Henry Eferegbo, Executive Director, Niger Delta Network for Environmental Justice; Ken Henshaw, Executive Director, We The People and six other organisations, and made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead, said “Agip has been operating recklessly for decades, leaving terrible ecological and socioeconomic legacies,” hence it cannot vacate the region without “addressing several cases and concerns bordering on the ecological, health, economic, and social impacts of its operations in the Niger Delta.”

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READ ALSO: Police Arrest Three Over Lynching Of Accused Manhood Snatcher

They argued that “throughout its operations, Agip consistently flared gas, wreaking havoc on the health, livelihoods, and environment of Niger Delta oil-producing communities.”

“Several investigations have found
the corporation and its collaborators responsible for environmental
degradation that has destroyed livelihoods, poisoned communities, and created circumstances for human rights violations,” they added in the statement.

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They, therefore, urged the “Federal Government to immediately produce a framework and
guide for how oil companies disengage from areas where they have operated.”

This guide, according to the environmental activists, “should be developed by a multi-stakeholder group including communities and civil society organizations. The divestment (or sale) framework must contain the following requirements for oil
companies and the Nigeria authorities;

READ ALSO: Pregnant Housewife Allegedly Kills Five-year-old Stepdaughter For Defecating

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“A scientifically developed post hydrocarbon impact assessment report that establishes the exact ecological and livelihoods impacts of oil extraction.

“A health audit of people located in close proximity to extraction
sites, and others exposed to oil contamination and gas flaring. This
audit will aim at unravelling the negative health impacts of exposure to hydrocarbons.

“A detailed plan and costing for remediating the ecological,
livelihood and health impacts of extraction.

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“The establishment of independent frameworks for remediating all
identified impacts and compensation to the impacted individuals and
communities.”

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Tinubu Approves Portfolios For 5 NCDC Executive Directors

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President Bola Tinubu has approved portfolios for five executive directors on the board of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

Mr Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

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READ ALSO:Tinubu Names New VCs For Education Varsities In Zaria, Kano

The appointees and their portfolios are: Hajiya Biliquis Jumoke- Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Aisha Rufai Ibrahim-Commercial and Industrial Development.

Others are, Mr James Abel Uloko-Corporate Services, Prof. Muhammad Bashar-Finance and Atika Ajanah-Projects.

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The president urged the executive directors to work closely with the governing board of the commission to promote and coordinate sustainable development of the North-Central geopolitical zone.”

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Court Orders Arrest Of 2 Lawyers Over Alleged Forgery, Impersonation

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A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Apo, on Monday, issued a bench warrant against two lawyers charged with forgery and impersonation.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie made the arrest order following repeated failure of the defendants- Victor Giwa, and Ibitade Bukola- to appear before the court to enter their plea to the charge that was preferred against them by the Inspector General of Police.

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In the charge marked: CR/150/25, the duo were accused of conspiring to forge a legal document purportedly issued by the chambers of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Prof. Awa U. Kalu, with the intent to mislead the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF.

According to the three-count charge, the alleged offence occurred on June 28, 2024.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Finnish Court Jails Simon Ekpa Six Years For Terrorism Offences

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The prosecution alleged that the defendants forged and signed a letter on the official letterhead of the SAN, requesting the AGF to suspend a scheduled arraignment.

The contentious letter, titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023”, was allegedly addressed to the AGF.

It allegedly sought intervention of the AGF to halt an arraignment that was scheduled before trial Justice Samira Bature of the high court.

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The IGP, in the charge, maintained that the two lawyers committed offences punishable under Section 97, 179 and 364 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.

READ ALSO:Ghana Jails Three Nigerians For 96 Years Over Car Theft

At the resumed proceeding of the court on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Eristo Asaph, noted that the defence lawyer told the court that the 1st defendant was bereaved, hence his absence for the scheduled arraignment.

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The prosecution counsel further noted that it was on the strength of an application by the defendant that the case was adjourned.

He, therefore, wondered why the duo were also absent in court for the case to proceed.

Responding, the defence counsel, Mr. Ogbu Aboje, told the court that the 1st defendant, Giwa, wrote a letter that was accompanied with a medical report dated September 3, indicating that he had a health challenge he described as “Degenerative disorder of the lumber vertebrae,” in addition to his hypertensive condition.

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He added that the 2nd defendant equally went to the hospital on Monday morning to keep to a routine appointment for the immunisation of her daughter.

More so, he drew attention of the court to an application the defendants earlier filed to challenge its jurisdiction to entertain the case.

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Dissatisfied with the developments, the prosecution counsel urged the court to issue a warrant for the defendants to be arrested y security agencies and produced for their trial.

READ ALSO:My Ex-wife Refused To Pack Out Of My House After Our Marriage Was Dissolved, Man Tells Court

In his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that having listened to both parties, he was minded to accede to the prosecution’s request.

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He court stressed that the medical report did indicate that the 1st defendant would not be able to attend court, adding that the 2nd defendant did not adduce any material to justify her absence.

Consequently, relying on the provision of section 266 (2) and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Justice Onwuegbuzie issued a bench warrant for the defendants to be arrested and produced before the court on October 8.
(VANGUARD)

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Community Attributes Access Road To Reduction In Maternal Mortality In Bauchi

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A cross-section of residents in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State has attributed the reduction in maternal mortality to the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of the Kirjaule–Lame roads.

Mr. Samila Jauro, who spoke on behalf of the community, made the disclosure during a media tour of ongoing Bauchi State projects in the area.

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He explained that in the past, no fewer than 50 pregnant women and their babies had lost their lives due to delays in accessing healthcare caused by the poor condition of roads.

We have lost many of our pregnant women and their unborn babies in the past because of bad roads.

READ ALSO: Malnutrition: Bauchi Govt Doles Out N300m To Fight Menace

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“But the present administration has changed our lives through its infrastructural development,” Jauro said.

While commending the state government, he appealed for the electrification of Kirjauke community.

We are grateful for the road project, but we still call on the governor to provide us with electricity.

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For the past 18 years, we have had no source of power,” he added.

The Bauchi State Government, through the Ministry of Works, in 2023 awarded a 40.5-kilometer road construction and rehabilitation projects in the aforementioned sites.

READ ALSO:Police Urge Bauchi Residents To Remain Calm Amidst Soldier’s Death In Bauchi

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Speaking on the progress of the projects, the Site Engineer, Mr. Ado Shehu, said the project had reached 75 percent completion.

The Kirjaule–Lame and Magama–Gumau roads were awarded at the end of November 2023.

“Some portions are already completed, while others are at the second layer and shoulder stage to ensure a successful outcome.

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“The duration of the project according to the contract is 36 months.

” But with 75 percent already completed, the project will be finished ahead of schedule,” he said.

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